First to the semis

NLEX made short work of Phoenix in booking only its third semifinal appearance since joining the PBA in 2014-15. This season, the Road Warriors were dispatched in the quarterfinals of the Philippine and Commissioner’s Cups but with debuting coach Jimmy Alapag, the troops barged into the Governors’ Cup Final Four.

Robert Bolick will mark his first semifinal performance. In the 2019 Governors’ Cup, Bolick was with NorthPort when the Batang Pier advanced to the semis but the crack guard sat out the playoffs with an ACL injury. Now, he’s ready to lead NLEX against the winner of the Rain or Shine-Converge series in the best-of-five semifinals with the survivor booking a ticket to the Last Dance.

Bolick, 34, was the third overall pick in the 2018 PBA draft after CJ Perez and Bobby Ray Parks. He’s in an elite group of hoopers to win championships in the NCAA and UAAP, doing it with La Salle and San Beda. Others in the exclusive cast are Jacob Cortez, Evan Nelle, Art de la Cruz, Will Navarro, Brent Paraiso, Bismarck Lina and RC Calimag. If there’s anyone who deserves to play in the semis, it’s Bolick. He’s on his third season with NLEX and you couldn’t ask anything more from the Triple Double dynamo. Last Saturday, he scored a game-high 23 points on three-of-four fours. three-of-five threes and two-of-two free throws to lead NLEX to a 137-89 demolition of Phoenix to wrap up their quarterfinal duel via a sweep. Bolick sat out the fourth quarter as reserves got a chance for some floor burn. In the elims, Bolick averaged 17.2 points but in the quarters, he raised his norm to 24.7.

What makes NLEX a serious contender is its balance. Alapag has introduced a system that rewards the Road Warriors for the positive things they do in playing their roles. Take Enoch Valdes, for example. There was talk that he was on the trading block in between conferences but Alapag gave him a shot to do what he does best, play hard-nosed defense and go all-out every second on the court. This conference, Bolick, DeSchon Winston and Valdez are the only locals to start each game for NLEX. Valdez and Anthony Semerad alternate as import defenders, a job they embrace without hesitation.

Bolick and Winston are Alapag’s 1-2 local scoring punch. In the elims, Winston, called Mr. Smooth, was NLEX’ leading local scorer. Alapag often uses a three-guard formation, rotating Bolick, Winston, Kevin Alas and LJay Gonzalez in a small lineup. Import Deonte Burton is a perfect fit for the team, bringing his NBA experience to a high level of efficiency at multiple positions. NLEX is No. 2 in offense, No. 3 in field goal percentage, No. 1 in three-point percentage and No. 1 in perimeter points to make a strong case as a title threat.